By Lisa White
How long does it take to clear a historic barn filled with “stuff” from 75 years ago? That was one of the many tasks set before Stephanie Zimmermann-Schmitt and Adam Klein when they moved to Steph’s grandparents’ property 12 years ago. Her grandparents came from Germany in 1936 and raised her father on the farm. But Steph – she was a DC city girl who enjoyed visiting the farm in the summer and never imagined living on it. With heartfelt emotion, Farmer Steph of Morgan Creek Farms in Quakertown continued to tell the story of the farm at our recent farm tour on June 2. The 40 rapt guests learned how she and her husband Adam came to the 57 acre property and began the task of honoring her ancestors by reviving it with regenerative practices. Their website tells the story in much more detail than we can in this space and is a delightful read. So we’ll tell you more about the Farm Tour itself!
The rain took a break this spring as young and old converged on the now cleaned out barn on a hot sunny day at beautiful Morgan Creek Farm. All enjoyed an amazing pot luck with delicious contributions from guests as well as gorgeous greens and pulled pork from our hosts Stephanie and Adam. The event was made ever more special with Sarah Harrington and Rich Jeffreys of The Cathartic Hearts entertaining us. Their two guitars and voices beautifully blended creating a harmony adding an especially festive note to this Farm Tour.
After the delicious meal and delightful music, Steph began the tour of the farm which is co-owned and operated with her husband, Adam, who also maintains a full-time off farm job as a television producer (he is the Production Manager for WFMZ-TV) in addition to his work on the farm.
They run a farrow-to-finish (birth to butcher) pastured hog operation and grow vegetables as well. On the tour, Steph started with the veggies and saved the pigs for last. She grows all of the vegetables for this 30 member 22-week vegetable CSA herself with the aid of some very impressive machinery.
The Vegetable CSA
All vegetables are grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on a ¾ acre field. The field in production is clay soil which for 60 years was farmed exclusively with soy beans. Working hard to improve the soil, Steph divides the area into three sections for spring, summer and fall crops, one of which is always in cover crop of wheat and peas. Some plants are started (and grown) in the 50’ X 24’ greenhouse while others are direct seeded. While admitting it can be controversial, Steph uses agricultural plastic of three different types to allow her to handle the vegetable fields on her own and keep down pest pressure. Silver plastic deters specific pests, black plastic heats the soil, and white plastic is cooling to the plants. Under the plastic, drip lines helped water the crops while reducing evaporation.
Her biggest problem is deer pressure but certainly bugs are always a concern. Steph seems to enjoy picking them off by hand and squashing them! On the way to the pigs, Steph explained her equipment which helped lay the beds. Her prior experience in working on and managing other farms for 9 years, some pretty extensive on the job training with her chisel plow and other equipment, and lots of hard work have resulted in the picturesque fields we saw on the tour. The lettuce fields alone were a thing of beauty.
The Pigs
Since childhood, Steph has been obsessed with pigs. In 2016 Xena, whom Steph adopted from a farm from which Xena was being retired, joined them at the property. We encourage you to read more about Xena and the farm operation on their website.
Adam acquiesced but insisted that if they were to keep a pet pig, others would have to pay their way. And so began Morgan Creek Farms. In 2020 they started building the farrowing barn, a COVID project of sorts, utilizing found and recycled materials including insulated warehouse wall panels scraps and large 3,600lb concrete block ‘seconds’. They currently have three breeding sows who produce two litters each per year. They are extremely proud of the way the sows and piglets are managed. The 10 – 15 piglets born to each sow are given lots of time with their mama before being weaned and the sows are given at least 8 weeks of recovery after they wean their piglets before being bred again. Unlike in industrial situations, the sows are completely unfettered as they birth and feed. No farrowing crates here! Despite that, their current group of sows have not lost a single piglet to crushing or other pressures commonly associated with conventional hog farming. A remarkable record (the horrible but primary reason for farrowing cages used by industry).
The heritage breed piglets (Tapenga and Theresa and a mix of the two) are weaned and then Steph and Adam generally keep 4 and sell the others from each litter. Seven months after birth, those four pigs are ready to go to market. Their life on the farm in those seven months is full of romping and playing with their siblings in a wide and varied pastured environment. Honestly, it was a bit tough to listen to our farm tour instead of admiring the adorable piglets romping behind the birthing building.
Supporting Morgan Creek Farm
Morgan Creek Farms store has recently, with the aid of a BCFA Small Farm Grant, been expanded to include refrigeration units that allow customers to see the farm products.
Their farm store is open to the public weekly from June-November on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and by appointment year-round. They offer a range of products from fresh picked vegetables, to various retail meat products including cuts sausages, charcuterie, and even offer products from other local producers and artists.
Morgan Creek Farms also serves as a wedding and event venue for up to 500 people situated on a beautiful, secluded 60 acres of forests and farmland. From their website: “ An idyllic property, isolated from all the hustle and bustle but conveniently located just 45 minutes from Philadelphia and 1 ½ hours from New York City, that offers both indoor and outdoor space for activity. The 18th-century stone bank barn holds an indoor stage with gathering and dining space, as well as an outdoor stage. Cool off by the pond, say hi to the piggies, and explore a network of walking trails that weave along Morgan Creek and cut through established hickory groves. Several beautiful options for your ceremony site are available—maybe a treehouse in an enchanted forest is your vibe?”
Next up for Morgan Creek Farms is their 11th annual Fourth on the Farm Music Festival. One thing for sure – the food will be delicious!
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